ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM THE WORD

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Today’s Encouraging Word: “Are You a Good Steward?”

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

God has empowered each of us with a different spiritual gifts. Do you know what yours is? If so, are you following His command to use that spiritual gift to serve in His Kingdom?

2018 CONGRESSIONAL PIG BOOK

Discussed by Tom Schatz
with Citizens Against Government Waste  (www.cagw.org)

Part 1 of 2

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has released its “2018 Congressional Pig Book”, the 26th edition of the group’s exposé on pork-barrel spending. Listen as President Tom Schatz discusses earmarks and reveals some of the “big winners” in the book.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

How many earmarks are included in the “2018 Congressional Pig Book”? How much did this increase from 2017?

How much money did these earmarks cost the taxpayers? How much did this increase from 2017?

But… wait! Didn’t Congress do away with earmarks?

Does CAGW have a different definition of earmarks than Congress does? Listen as Tom Schatz explains…

When was CAGW created?

Is transparency necessary? Or, is a permanent ban on earmarks the only answer?

PART 2 OF 2 - 2018 CONGRESSIONAL PIG BOOK

Discussed by Tom Schatz
with Citizens Against Government Waste  (www.cagw.org)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are earmarks just a tactic to buy off their colleagues to vote for their bill? In other words, are earmarks “legalized bribery”?

Are earmarks just a Democrat thing? Are earmarks just a Republican thing?

Do most voters like “bacon” in their district, but not the district next to them?

What are some of the most outrageous earmarks in the “2018 Congressional Pig Book”?

CROWN MINISTRIES DEVOTION

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Today’s devotion from Crown Financial Ministries is entitled: “God’s Absolutes” and is taken from 1 John 3:21-22 (NIV) “²¹If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²²and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.”

Our attitudes toward various situations develop over time and are often difficult to change. God knows this and has provided a way for you to examine your internal attitude. Listen as Terry reads from today’s devotion by Crown Ministries.

Further Scripture reading: 2 Kings Chapters 8-9 and 2 Chronicles Chapters 21:4-29:9

JESUS: THE TEACHER

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 3

This summer, Mark will be digging deeper into the words spoken by Jesus. The goal and purpose of these devotions are to give us a better understanding about Jesus and draw us closer to him.

Mark Lanier is back this week with a look at five different devotionals from Jesus.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Third Devotional: “Jesus: A Worthy Teacher” Mark 12:28-34

Why was Jesus’ “Greatest Commandment” controversial? Why is it often difficult to love others always?

Fourth Devotional: “Jesus is an Interested Teacher” Luke 7:40-50

What makes a great teacher? Listen as Mark shares a personal story…

What if Jesus came to you and said “I have something I want to say to you”? What would you do? Would you listen intently? Do you feel the same when you read the Bible? Ouch – that one hurts!

For more information about Mark’s Class, click [here].

CHILDREN ARE A GIFT

Discussed by Steven Morris
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 3

We are all part of the family of God. Does God want us to just survive in His family? Or does He want us to thrive?

Psalms 127:3 “Children are a gift from the Lord.”

This week, Champion Forest Baptist Church Student Pastor Steven Morris will be encouraging us, as adults and mentors, to invest in the lives in the generation coming behind us.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Do you have a Bible-saturated home?

Do you have a prayer-saturated home?

Listen as Pastor Steven Morris shares a funny story about his youngest son, Will. Two year olds are just precious, aren’t they?

“Jesus isn’t pointing us to [our kids’] innocence. He is pointing us to their helplessness,” Pastor Steven says.

Pastor David Fleming encourages you to visit Champion Forest Baptist Church in NW Houston this Sunday! CFBC has Life Groups classes (Sunday School) for all ages and walks of life, including Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy Class, as well as several service times and locations to choose from. For more information, click here.

THE ENTIRE WHAT'S UP PROGRAM

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.